Major humanitarian response required in Côte d'Ivoire

Large parts of Duekoue were devastated by the recent violence in Côte d'Ivoire, as seen in this image taken on 4 April 2011. Credit: OCHA/Nicholas Reader

Today ERC Valerie Amos traveled to Man, where she met internally displaced people and aid workers. In meetings with aid workers, Ms. Amos also discussed the adequacy of aid being provided and the challenges of working in the west, a region long known for being Côte d’Ivoire’s most volatile.

“There can be no peace and security in West Africa if there is no peace and security in Côte d’Ivoire. The social, economic, and humanitarian consequences of the Ivorian crisis will be overwhelming unless we give the country the support it needs,” Ms. Amos said.

Yesterday, ERC Amos traveled to the western town of Duékoué, the site of some of the mass killings and of most serious human rights violations that have occurred since the start of the four-month old political crisis. Over 200 bodies have so far been discovered.

“I came to Duékoué to see for myself the scale of the crisis. I heard testimonies from those lucky to be alive, who were both fearful and traumatized and are looking to the humanitarian community for help,” Ms. Amos said. She stressed the need for physical protection for the affected as well as the need for food, water, shelter and sanitation.